CN101667360A

CN101667360A - Continuous self-laminating label

Info

Publication number: CN101667360A
Application number: CN200910173475A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 玛丽恩·万贝弗
Original assignee: Dimmer Corp
Current assignee: Dimmer Corp
Priority date: 2003-05-28
Filing date: 2004-05-28
Publication date: 2010-03-10
Also published as: EP2296132A2; ATE505777T1; EP1639569A2; WO2004107294A2; JP2007501963A; AU2009240858A1; AU2004243941A1; EP1639569B1; RU2005141153A; DE602004032236D1; CN100543801C; WO2004107294A3; AU2004243941B2; CN1871625A; JP2011039521A; JP4695597B2; US20070006963A1; RU2307400C2; GB0312214D0

Abstract

The present invention provides a roll of tape for use in a tape printing apparatus for producing labels. In use an unprinted portion of the tape comprising a layer of label material, a layer of removable liner material overlaps with a printed portion of the tape to form a laminated label. The belt includes at least one fold wherein the belt is folded back on itself laterally, the belt having overlapping first and second portions. The outer surface of the first portion is arranged to print thereon.

Description

Continuous self-laminating labels

The application is that application number is 200480019826.7, the applying date is on May 28th, 2004, denomination of invention is divided an application for the application for a patent for invention of " continuous self-laminating labels ".

Technical field

The present invention relates to self-laminating labels.The present invention is particularly useful for being used for the self-laminating labels of electric wire and cable sign.

Background technology

Self-laminating labels is normally made by transparent flexible ethene or PET film, and it has pressure-sensitive viscosity.The synoptic diagram of known self-laminating labels is shown in Figure 1.Self-laminating labels generally is a rectangle, the first half of its length or last 1/3 coated China ink (AC zone), the sign (being called " writing " distinguishes) that is used to print cable.Remaining transparent half or 2/3 is used to be wrapped in cable (CAB) on every side, and is used to be laminated on the zone of printing, as shown in Figure 2.The total length of label (B) should be the height of the outer perimeter+printable area of cable at least.The height of clear area should be the outer perimeter of cable at least.The height of printable area should be less than the outer perimeter of cable.

Commercial self-laminating labels all is cross cutting (die-cut) label all the time.According to the type of the printer that will use, self-laminating labels can present with the form of roll type, single sheet type or fan folding formula label paster.

As mentioned above, the district of writing of traditional self-laminating labels has the size that clearly limits.Therefore, the amount of text that can be printed on the label is limited.For sign, especially need the sign of bulk information, then need big label.But bigger die cut label can't be put in the small hand-held portable printer.Particularly, the acceptable maximum bandwidth degree of these cassette system is limited.

Summary of the invention

A purpose of embodiments of the invention is to address the above problem.Particularly, some embodiment of the present invention can provide solution to following problem: the self-laminating labels band of broad is placed in the narrower tape drum, for use in being with in the printer to produce self-laminating labels.Embodiments of the invention can provide on continuous material bands (ribbon) with what the reel form presented and be placed to self-laminating labels in the printer cartridge system.

According to a first aspect of the invention, provide a kind of band that is used for producing the tape printing apparatus of self-laminating labels to supply with, described band is supplied with and is comprised a roll of tape, described belt comprises the adhesive label's material of ground floor and the lining material removed of the second layer, wherein said belt comprises that at least one is folding, wherein said belt is folded back on self by horizontal (width-wise direction), thereby have the first and second overlapping parts, and the outside surface of described first comprises described label material, so that print thereon.

According to a second aspect of the invention, provide a kind of band that is used for producing the tape printing apparatus of self-laminating labels to supply with, described band is supplied with and is comprised a roll of tape, described belt comprises label layer, backing layer and places therebetween viscous layer, described label layer comprises saturating clearly (clear) material, and described backing layer comprises the displaceable layers of being made by clear saturating or non-clear saturating material.

According to a third aspect of the invention we, provide a kind of band printer, it comprises band supply receiving unit, is used for receiving belt and supplies with; Printhead, it comprises a plurality of type elements, is used for print image on belt; Drive unit is used to drive belt through printhead; Cutting mechanism; And control device, described control device is suitable for controlling a plurality of type elements, drive unit and cutting mechanism, has the self-laminating labels of printing portion and afterbody part with production.

According to a forth aspect of the invention, a kind of self-laminating labels is provided, it comprises label layer, backing layer and places therebetween viscous layer, described label has leader, printing portion and afterbody part, wherein comprise the clear saturating material that has the marking on it at label layer described in the described printing portion, described backing layer comprises non-clear saturating material, and described backing layer can partly be removed from described guiding and described afterbody at least.

Description of drawings

In order to understand the present invention better and how to realize the present invention, below will be by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 shows the front elevation of prior art self-laminating labels;

Fig. 2 shows prior art self-laminating labels shown in Figure 1 and is wrapped in cable sectional view on every side;

Fig. 3 shows the schematic sectional view according to first embodiment of belt of the present invention;

Skeleton view when the embodiment that Fig. 4 shows Fig. 3 is in conitnuous forms;

Fig. 5 shows the schematic sectional view of the embodiment of the belt with black coating;

Fig. 6 shows the process flow diagram of diagram manufacturing according to the step among the embodiment of tape drum of the present invention;

Fig. 7 shows the process flow diagram that diagram is administered to the self-laminating labels that is printed the method for cable;

Fig. 8 shows diagram and uses process flow diagram according to the method for second embodiment of label of the present invention;

Fig. 9 shows the sectional view according to another embodiment of self-laminating labels band of the present invention;

Figure 10 shows the sectional view of the self-laminating labels of the belt production that utilizes Fig. 9;

Figure 11 shows the label of Figure 10 and some part of its backing is removed;

The label that Figure 12 shows Figure 10 and 11 is wrapped in around the cable;

The label that Figure 13 shows Figure 10-11 is wrapped in around the cable;

Figure 14 shows the process flow diagram that diagram is administered to another embodiment of the self-laminating labels that is printed the method for cable;

Figure 15 shows the process flow diagram that diagram is administered to another embodiment of the self-laminating labels that is printed the method for cable;

Figure 16 shows the process flow diagram that diagram is administered to another embodiment of the self-laminating labels that is printed the method for cable;

Figure 17 shows the synoptic diagram of front portion of the housing of printing device;

Figure 18 shows the planimetric map of the first band printing device that realizes two cassette system of use of the present invention;

Figure 19 shows the planimetric map of the second band printing device that realizes a cassette system of use of the present invention;

Figure 20 shows the synoptic diagram of control circuit of the printing device of Figure 18 or Figure 19;

Figure 21 shows the lateral cross section of label foil;

Figure 22 shows the lateral cross section of another kind of label foil;

Figure 23 (a) to (d) shows the four-stage in the process of producing the self-laminating labels band;

Figure 24 (a) to (c) shows another stage in the process of producing the self-laminating labels band.

Embodiment

Fig. 3 illustrates the synoptic diagram according to an embodiment of self-laminating labels band of the present invention.Belt illustrates in the cross section mode along bandwidth (W).Belt is by folding along its width, so that be provided at the multilayer of extending on the whole length of belt, as shown in Figure 4.In the illustrated embodiment, belt is folded into zigzag, has the part that three width equate, though other folding mode also is possible.For example, belt can comprise more than three or be less than three folded parts.In one embodiment, belt is folded once, so that comprise two laps, is in the shape of the letter V.In other embodiments, folded part can have different width.Belt can be folding by other the mode that three parts are provided.For example, center section can provide exposed surface, and image is printed on this surface.

Comprising with zigzag with 2 among Fig. 3 and 4 folds back three

parts

4,6,8 over each other.Be with 2 to comprise label material 10 and lining material 12, image will be printed on this label material 10.Label material comprises transparent material, more specifically comprises saturating clearly material, for example clear saturating PVC (Polyvinylchloride) material.Lining material can comprise coloured or colourless, and can be transparent or opaque, for example is saturating or coloured clearly PET (polyethylene terephthalate) material.Label material can be a self adhesive material.Perhaps, independent viscous material layer is placed between label material and the lining material.Thereby label material will be adhered on the lining material, and the characteristic of lining material is easily removed it from label material.When lining material was removed, label material can be adhered on surface, the cable and wire etc. then.The marking can be printed on the label material of first.First is one of end portion.The marking can be applied to the upper surface of the label material of first by thermal transfer printer.Perhaps, label material can be to be used for the hot sensing print media that hot sensing is printed, and does not wherein need China ink to supply with.

It is very important that the material of label and lining is selected.It is little around the electric wire or cable of 2mm that label will be wrapped in diameter.Therefore, label material need be extremely thin, very soft, and has been coated on high performance adhesive, to prevent being administered to back layering (de-lamination) on the cable.Label material can be 1 to 200 micron thickness, more preferably is 50 to 100 micron thickness.Usually, the label material that uses in one embodiment of the present of invention is 80 microns matt transparent vinyl film.Label material has been coated on bonding agent.Cohesive material can be 1 to 100 micron thickness, more preferably is 10 to 40 micron thickness, and first-selection then is 20 to 30 micron thickness.Usually, label material is coated has covered 25 microns pressure-sensitive acrylic acid height and has touched viscosity bonding agent (Flexmark V320 TC 348 V344).

In this inventive embodiment, lining material not only serves as and prevents that bonding agent from pasting the masking material of following one deck of label material.It has certain " rigidity " (memory effect), and this rigidity prevents that Z word or V font from opening after flattening along cut-off lines.In addition, it needs thinner, enough is thinned to and can carries in cassette system and printer organization to keep 3 folding structures.Lining material can be 1 to 200 micron thickness, more preferably is 10 to 50 micron thickness, and first-selection then is 20 to 30 micron thickness.Usually, the lining material of this invention can be 23 microns PETP/C (pet polymer/multipolymer) films.PET can be homopolymer or multipolymer.

The self-adhering type label material 10 of first, second and

third part

4,6,8 forms a single continuous material, boundary position 14 places of this material between first and second parts 4,6 are folded, and second and

third part

6,8 between 16 places, boundary position be folded.The lining material of first, second and third part can form a single continuous material, perhaps can comprise a plurality of parts.Particularly, lining material can be cut open applying folding position, to help the folding of belt and to flatten.In the illustrated embodiment, there is otch at the first boundary position of lining between first and second parts.This has not only helped folding belt, has also allowed the lining material of three parts to be removed.Another improvement is included in the lining of first and comprises otch, to limit a leader.This also will discuss hereinafter.In another embodiment, label material has coloured district and clear saturating district.This embodiment is shown in Figure 5, the figure shows a kind of belt, defines the coloured district that is printed thereby this belt has black coating 18 in the first of belt.In other embodiments of the invention, coloured district can limit by any other mode.Coloured district (and/or opacity) has been for the marking provides background, thereby improved the sharpness of the marking.Color can be selected so that the sharpness maximization of the marking.In one embodiment, lining can be removed fully, so that label is attached on electric wire or the cable.In other embodiments of the invention, the part of lining can remain adhered on the label material.That part of lining that maintenance is adhered to can be the marking provides background, thereby improves the sharpness of the marking.Can select the color/opacity of lining material, so that the maximization of the sharpness of the marking.

In order to realize being suitable for reeling and carrying the continuous band-shaped collapsible multilayer material of cassette system, can flatten folding by different modes:

(a) to apply folding position incision lining;

(b) use lining material with high memory effect;

(c) to apply this material of burst spot heating;

(d) use bigger pressure;

(e) use extremely thin material;

(f) combination of two or more in the above solution.

Fig. 6 shows the process flow diagram that illustrates the step that relates to when making the tape drum that is used for comprising of label machine of above-mentioned self-laminating labels band.Manufacture process relates to following steps: (a) structure layering band; (f) along the laterally folded layering band of strip length direction; (c) band after compression folds is to form folding sandwich tape; (d) will fold sandwich tape and twine rolling; (e) will fold in the tape drum that the sandwich tape wraparound is contained in label machine.Exist several possible tape drums to select: (1) has the single tape drum of hot sensing label material; (2) has the tape drum of label material and hold the independent tape drum of China ink band (inkribbon); (3) has the single tape drum that label material and China ink are with.In other embodiments, the volume of winding is not incorporated in the tape drum, but directly is introduced in the label machine.

Tape drum can be incorporated into the label machine that is used for Print Label.Belt to be being with 24 cooperation way to be fed by print zone 22 so that print with China ink, and the label that is printed is supplied with from band with cutting mechanism and cut down.The label that is printed then can be applied on cable or the electric wire after removing the lining part.Can also use and can directly be presented through print zone and be printed and need not the thermo-sensitive material of any China ink band that is used to print, the instant heating sensing is printed.Perhaps can use ink-feeding device, for example inkjet printing.

Fig. 7 illustrates the step that relates to when the label that will be printed is administered to cable or electric wire.Printed P on the label.This method may further comprise the steps: it is terminal so that separate folded part, as shown in (b) (a) to pull label; Remove lining material from first, second and third part, as shown in (c)-otch helped the removal of lining material; Label is wrapped in around the electric wire/cable, with the part that adheres to label on the electric wire/cable and lamination is printed, shown in (d).Here, not being printed of third part that is printed the part P and the label other end on first's label material of label one end overlaps.Therefore, the part that is printed of label one end is not overlapped with being printed of the other end of same label, thereby has formed self-laminating labels.

Fig. 8 shows the step that relates to when using amended embodiment, and this amended embodiment has otch 28 in the coloured/opaque lining material of first, and this otch defines part 30.This method is with above identical with regard to the described cardinal principle of Fig. 7.But in step (c), lining material is not only removed from part 30, also by from second and third part remove.This is favourable, because in step (d), part 30 may be adhered to electric wire/cable, slides when preventing that remainder at label is wrapped in around the electric wire/cable.The part of backing layer is retained, so that the part that is printed has liner background, shown in Fig. 8 (e).This can improve the sharpness of label, because the part that is printed will have the coloured/opaque background of cleaning.Can select the color of lining material so that make the sharpness maximization of the marking on the label layer.

Utilize another solution of label machine production self-laminating labels shown in Figure 9.In this configuration, the self-laminating labels that be printed is gone up extension at vertical (L) with 40, rather than the horizontal expansion that be with on the edge in foregoing example.This band comprises ground floor 42, and this ground floor 42 has first, can carry out printing on this first.On second of ground floor, provide the second layer 44, described second with described first opposite.The one side opposite with ground floor provides the 3rd layer 46 on the described second layer.Ground floor comprises saturating clearly PE (tygon), PVC (Polyvinylchloride) or PET (polyethylene terephthalate), and the second layer comprises viscous layer, and the 3rd layer comprises coloured PE, PVC or pet layer.The thickness of these layers can be in the disclosed scope of previous embodiment.

Above-mentioned belt can be wound rolling, and is incorporated into the tape drum that is used for label machine.This label machine is arranged to the production label, as shown in figure 10.During printing, belt is through print zone, and here the marking (P) is formed on the saturating clearly layer 42.Then, belt is fed to cutting mechanism.First's cutting (tab-cut) 50 carried out apart from the about 5-10mm of label edges place in beginning place that is printed part (second portion) of label.Also can carry out first cutting if necessary in other places.Cutting is carried out in back sheet 46 (coloured/opaque layer).This first cutting 50 limits label edges and is printed first 52 between (second) part 53.Second portion cuts the 54 adjacent parts that are printed and forms afterwards and also form in back sheet.At last, locating to cut fully at a distance of (D) with second tab-cut, to form third part 56.The length of third part (D) should equal the girth of pipe or electric wire at least.The length of second portion (part that is printed) should be less than the outer perimeter of cable.Notice that part cutting or tab-cut may be defined to the cutting through one or more layers rather than all layers of sandwich tape.

In order to use label, the back sheet of first 52 is removed (starting the edge to first tab-cut from label).The back sheet of third part 56 is removed (from the end-of-tag edge to second tab-cut).This is shown in Figure 11.

First is applied to the surface of pipe or electric wire, thereby first is pasted on pipe or the electric wire, as shown in figure 12.The remainder of label is wrapped in around pipe or the electric wire, so that cover the surface of pipe or electric wire, and the zone that is printed with positive clear saturating part covering, as shown in figure 13.

This configuration is favourable, because belt easily is placed to the standard tape drum that is used for printer.Therefore, do not need to be in particular to produce and invest, can in the band printer, realize belt immediately.Another advantage is only to need a tape drum just can be applicable to multiple cable size.That is, the length of label will depend on the position of above-mentioned various cuttings, rather than the width of belt.Therefore, can be input in the label machine according to the size of the cable that will be applied label different length size label.

In another embodiment shown in Figure 14 (a) to (d), part cuts the 61, the 63rd, carries out in label layer 60 rather than backing layer 64.Some part of

label layer

66,67 can be had the either side removal that is printed part 68 of marking P from it then, to expose the viscous layer 62 on the backing layer.Label can be wrapped in around the cable/wire then, and backing layer 64 is overlapping with printing portion.In this embodiment, character mirror printed preferably.Label layer and backing layer are preferably transparent, and be more preferably clear saturating.In this embodiment, tag length can be less than the outer perimeter of cable or electric wire.

In another embodiment shown in Figure 15 (a) to (d), in label layer 70, carry out single part cutting 73.The part 75 of label layer 70 can be removed then, to expose the viscous layer 72 on the backing layer 74.Label can be wrapped in around the cable/wire then, and backing layer 74 is with to be printed part 74 overlapping.In this embodiment, the part that is printed of lamination is upwards extended away from cable/wire from the footpath.Backing layer is preferably transparent, and is more preferably clear saturating.Label layer is preferably coloured/and opaque.In this embodiment, tag length is preferably the outer perimeter of cable or electric wire+the be printed length of part.

In another embodiment shown in Figure 16 (a) to (d), in the label layer 80 that has with the belt of the zigzag structure of similar shown in Figure 3, provide single part cutting 83.The part 85 of label layer 80 can be removed then, to expose the bonding agent on the self-adhesive backing layer 84.Label can be wrapped in around the cable/wire then, and backing layer 84 is with to be printed part 87 overlapping.In this embodiment, the part that is printed of lamination is upwards extended away from cable/wire from the footpath.Backing layer is preferably transparent, and is more preferably clear saturating.Label layer is preferably coloured/and opaque.In this embodiment, tag length is preferably the outer perimeter of cable or electric wire+the be printed length of part.

In a simplified embodiment, not part cutting, before label was administered to pipe or electric wire, whole back sheet was removed.This simplified embodiment has the advantage that does not need part cutting (tab-cut) mechanism.But the shortcoming of this simplified embodiment is the surface that the background of print area comprises pipe or electric wire.Therefore, the sharpness of the marking will depend on the character on the surface of pipe or electric wire.Especially the color of pipe or electric wire may be very crucial for the sharpness of determining the marking.In this simplified embodiment, the color of carefully selecting the marking may be very important.For example, if the surface of pipe or electric wire is white, then black is printed and will be seemed very clear.But if the surface of pipe or electric wire is a black, then the white or the light marking will be more suitable.

In the illustrated embodiment, the part of coloured lining is retained, as the background that is printed the zone in the label of using.This structure has improved the sharpness of label.

In another embodiment, part cutting (tab-cut) is pre-formed in band is supplied with.The favourable part of this embodiment do not need in the label machine to be the part cutting mechanism, because the part cutting is preformed in band is supplied with.

Figure 17 illustrates the front of an embodiment of band printing device.The rack of label 170 expression printers.The front of printer has LCD (LCD) 108 and keyboard 106, this keyboard has a plurality of cursor control keys 174, a plurality of function key 176 and a plurality of character options button 178, and six in these function keys two and these character options buttons only are shown among Figure 17.Keyboard 106 is used for to band printing device input character.This also can realize such as touch pad or the such input media of touch-screen with other.Function key also comprises return key, options button, editing key and printing key except that comprising other keys.In other embodiments of the invention, can provide greater functionality and/or replacement function.Just as is known, for each function, can use key combination to replace single key.

Exposing device can show two styles of writing originally.Other embodiment can show may greater or less than two row.Display is illustrated as showing two rowers label (L1) ESSELTE (first row) FILE126 (second row).Just as is known, character options button 178 allows the user to select text, so that the form of the label that arrangement will be printed.Term hereinafter " text " is meant numeral, symbol, icon, background mode, bar code etc. and character, and all these texts can constitute the image that will be printed on the label together.Function key 176 allows to realize difference in functionalitys, and controls the operator scheme of printer on the effect.

Printer is operated, so that the belt that is printed epigraph to be provided.After label was printed, the length of band was cut off.Band is installed in the tape drum, and tape drum is accommodated in the cassette bay.

Usually, this band printing device 1000 be hand-held or small table equipment, at least some the time it is battery-powered.Perhaps, or extraly, the band printing device can be provided to the electric power of automatic power supply.In certain embodiments, the band printing device by the primary power power supply, is battery-powered sometimes sometimes.

The planimetric map of Figure 18 illustrates realizes the first band printing device of wherein having arranged two tape drums of the present invention, and the shell body shown in Figure 17 is removed.Last tape drum 2000 is arranged in the first tape drum receiving unit 2600, and supplies with image receiving belt 4000, and this image receiving belt arrives the outlet 5000 of band printing device 1000 through the print zone 3000 of band printing device 1000.Image receiving belt 4000 comprises foregoing hierarchy.Last tape drum 2000 has the depression of the cylinder 8000 that is used for accommodating belt printing device 1000, and is used for the

leader

2000 and 2400 of pilot tape through print zone 3000.Cylinder 8000 is located to is convenient to rotation in cage moulded parts 10000.Perhaps, cylinder can be located to and be convenient to rotate on pivot pin.

Following tape drum 1100 is arranged in the second tape drum receiving unit 2800, and comprises heat transfer colour ribbon 1200, and this heat transfer colour ribbon 1200 extends to from the supply reel 30000 in the tape drum 1100 and receives spool 3200.Heat transfer colour ribbon 1200 extend past print zones 3000, and overlapping with image receiving belt 4000.Tape drum 1100 has the depression 1400 of the printhead 1600 that is used for receiving belt printing device 1000 and is used to guide the

leader

3400 and 3600 of heat transfer colour ribbon 1200 through print zone 3000.Printhead 1600 can move between working position shown in Figure 17 and inoperative position, in described working position, this printhead 1600 contacts with cylinder 8000, and be supported on heat transfer colour ribbon 1200 overlapping between printhead 1600 and the cylinder 8000 and image receiving belt 4000, in described inoperative position, this printhead 1600 is removed from cylinder 8000, to unclamp heat transfer colour ribbon 1200 and image receiving belt 4000.In the working position, cylinder 8000 rotation is driven through printhead 1600 to cause image receiving belt 1200, and printhead 1600 Be Controlled, with by from the hot transfer printing of prepared Chinese ink of colour band 1200 with image print on image receiving belt 4000.

Band printing device 1000 has lid, and this lid is not illustrated, but it by with hinge joint at the rear portion of tape

drum receiving unit

2600 and 2800, and when it can cover two tape drums when in place.Lid can certainly any other suitable manner arrive the band printing device with hinge joint.In other embodiments of the invention, belt may be not with hinge joint to the band printer, but be attached on the band printer with any other suitable manner when needed.

Dc motor 7000 (seeing Figure 20) continuous drive cylinder 8000.The kinetogenesis that cylinder is arranged to by himself rotation drives image receiving belt 4000 through print zone 3000.

Image is printed on the image receiving belt to pursue the row mode by printhead 1600, and these are listed in adjacent one another are on 4000 the moving direction.

The planimetric map of Figure 19 illustrates the cassette bay of second printing device 1000 ' that realizes a cassette system of use of the present invention.Its shell body as shown in figure 17 is removed.Similarly label is used for those parts that Figure 18 also illustrates.Cassette bay is by shown in the dotted line 40000.Cassette bay 40000 comprises thermal printer head 1600 and cylinder 8000, and these two parts cooperations are to limit print zone 3000.Thermal printer head 1600 with get in touch identical that Figure 18 discusses.

Printhead 1600 can so that it can contact so that print with cylinder 8000, and can be removed cylinder 8000 so that tape drum can be removed and replace around pivot point, in first embodiment.The tape drum that injects in the cassette bay 40000 is generally represented by label 4400.Tape 4400 holds the supply spool 4600 of image receiving belt 4000.Image receiving belt 4000 is directed mechanism's (not shown) guiding through tape drum 4400, leaves tape drum 4000 and arrives cutting position C through print zone 3000 by outlet O.Same tape drum 4400 also has China ink band supply spool 4800 and the China ink band receives spool 50000.China ink is with 1200 to be directed being received through print zone 3000 and at China ink band reception spool 50000 from China ink band supply spool 4800.As first embodiment, image receiving belt 4000 is with 1200 to pass through print zone 3000 overlappingly with China ink, and its image receiving layer is with 1200 to contact with China ink.The cylinder of this second embodiment is also driven by motor 7000.During printing, the motor rotation is passed through print zone 3000 continuously to drive the image receiving belt.In arbitrary embodiment, belt all may be driven by the step by step-by-step motor.In other embodiments, can use dissimilar motor.

Image is printed on from print zone and presents on the belt that comes out to cutting position C, and this cutting position C is that certain position in the close print zone 3000 of the wall of tape drum 4400 that part of provides.The part that limits cutting position C on the wall of tape drum 4400 is by label 5200 expressions.Limit groove 5400 in wall part 5200, image receiving belt 4000 is fed through print zone 3000 and arrives cutting position C, here it be by groove 5400 either side towards wall part and supported.

The second band printing device 1000 ' comprises cutting mechanism 5600, and this cutting mechanism 5600 comprises the cutting machine supporting member 5800 with blade 60000.Blade 60000 cutting image receiving belts 4000 enter groove 5400 then.Should be appreciated that first embodiment also can comprise cutting mechanism usually.

In one embodiment of the invention, in conjunction with complete cutting mechanism, provide a kind of so-called tab-cut mechanism.The example that can be used for tab-cut of the present invention mechanism is described in EP 0711637.

In the image receiving belt is among some embodiment of making of thermo-sensitive material, can omit the China ink band.In the case, image directly is printed on the thermal sensitivity image receiving belt by thermal printer head.

The basic circuit of band printing device 1000 ' that is used to control the band printing device 1000 of Figure 18 or Figure 19 is shown in Figure 20.Microprocessor chip 100 is wherein arranged ", it has ROM (read-only memory) (ROM) 102 ", microprocessor 101 " and by RAM 104 " illustrated random access controller ability.Microprocessor chip 100 " be connected to receive from be input to label data wherein such as keyboard 106 such data input devices.Microprocessor chip 100 " output data, with via display driver chip 109 " driving display 108, so that show the label (or its part) that will print and/or the message of giving the user.Display driver or also can form the part of microprocessor chip.In addition, microprocessor chip 100 " go back output data to drive printhead 1600, so that label data is printed on the image receiving belt to form label.At last, microprocessor chip 100 " also control be used for the motor 7000 of head roll.Microprocessor chip 100 " go back the cutting mechanism 5600 of may command Figure 19 or the cutting mechanism of Figure 18, be cut off with certain length that allows band.In other embodiments, have at least a part to be manually actuated in the cutting mechanism.Microprocessor chip 100 " go back may command tab-cut mechanism, to determine in band, where carrying out tab-cut.

In an embodiment according to printer of the present invention, printer comprises plurality of print modes, and comprising the self-laminating labels pattern, this pattern can be selected to be used to print self-laminating labels.When selecting the self-laminating labels pattern, the user is prompted to import the data of self-laminating labels.These data comprise one or more in the following data: print character data, printable character size, tape drum type, belt type, bandwidth, label sizes, tag length, tag width and the size that will be applied the article of label comprise one or more in cable size, cable girth and the cable radius with the size that is applied the article of label.The position of tab-cut and final cutting also can be input in the printer by user and other label datas before printing together, perhaps can calculate according to aforementioned data input.Therefore can maybe will be applied the size of another article of label or the length that shape is provided with first, second portion and third part according to the girth of pipe or electric wire.

Printer comprises controller, and this controller comprises storer.This controller can be incorporated in the circuit shown in Figure 20.The user can be to the template programming of definition label sizes, and this template can be stored in the described storer.Template comprises the formatted data of particular label layout.For example, the tag format/size of the cable of specific size.Suitable then template can be selected from storer, and print character data is imported in the printer so that be printed on the printing portion, and label is printed then.In one embodiment of the invention, print character data can be preserved with the tag format data aggregate, perhaps preserves separately.Printer also can be equipped with a plurality of templates that are used for self-laminating labels of programming in advance.Perhaps, or in addition, the format/dimensions of label (be included in and where carry out any tab-cut or the like) can be based on the manually label data of input of user.Therefore, provide the controller that is suitable for arranging the self-adhesive label form.

In another embodiment of the present invention, tape drum is equipped with indicating device, is used for indicating the type of the band of tape drum.Printer be equipped with the band that is used for detecting printing type and changing format, printable character size, printer speed, printing/bandwidth, print height, print the device of line number and other printer variables.Printer variables also can be imported by the user and select.

With reference to Figure 21 to 24 an alternative embodiment of the invention and production method thereof are described.In this embodiment, the continuous self-laminating labels band is the V font.The first of continuous self-laminating labels band is coloured, and second portion is transparent.The part of continuous self-laminating labels band can be separated with the continuous self-laminating labels band by cutting operation, so that produce self-laminating labels.This cutting operation can be carried out before or after printing, and image can be printed at least a portion of described self-laminating labels in this printing.Fig. 7 illustrates self-laminating labels is administered to cable or the required a plurality of steps of electric wire.This method may further comprise the steps: (a) separate folded part, as shown in (b); Remove lining material from first, second and third part, as shown in (c)-otch helped the removal of lining material; Label is wrapped in around the electric wire/cable, with the part that adheres to label on the electric wire/cable and lamination is printed, shown in (d).The opposite end that is not printed on one end that can be printed on the label and the label is overlapping.Therefore, the part that is printed of an end of label is not overlapped with being printed of opposite end of same label, thereby has formed self-laminating labels.

Figure 21 illustrates the lateral cross section of label foil 200, and this label foil comprises label material 201 and lining material 202.Label material 201 comprises transparent PVC material 203.It below PVC material 203 viscous layer 204.Lining material 202 comprises PET material 205.The upper surface of PET material 205 and viscous layer 204 adjacency; Silicon layer 206 is applied in the upper surface of PET material.On the upper surface of PVC material 203, label material 201 has been printed colored materials 207, and to generate coloured district 212, described upper surface is following opposite with PVC material 203.Coloured district 212 is linear basically, and along the longitudinal extension of label foil 200.Horizontal and vertical is to limit on the surface of label foil 200, the plane parallel of each layer 203 to 205 of described surface and formation label foil 200.

Figure 22 illustrates another kind of label foil 210.In this embodiment, before the colored materials 207, PVC material 203 has been coated on coating 208 on label material is printed.Coating 208 has been improved the bonding of colored materials 207 and PVC material 203.Colored materials 207 can be any color, includes but not limited to one of black, white, redness, orange, yellow, green, blueness and purple.

Figure 23 illustrates 4 stages from the process of label foil 200 production self-laminating labels bands.The band production start from label foil 200 around volume.In this example, the width in each coloured district 212 is the twices from the width of lamination type band after finishing.What separate each coloured district 212 is clear area 211.In this example, coloured district 212 and clear area width equate, wherein width is in the lip-deep cross measure of label foil 200.But the district of label foil 200 edges can be any width near being positioned at.

In Figure 23, the district of each edge of label foil is shown to have other and distinguishes the length of half.Figure 23 (a) illustrates above respectively with reference to Figure 21 or 22 label foil of describing 200 or 210.

Lining material 202 be in certain lateral position along vertical cutting of described label foil, described lateral attitude is corresponding to the border between each coloured district and the clear area.This step is shown in Figure 23 (b).Before the cutting lining material, lining material 202 and label material 201 are by separated from one another temporarily, in case produced the back otch, these layers are relay together again.Transverse cuts position in the lining material is by shown in the arrow 213.Label material 201 be separating of lining material 202 preferred, this is because the difference of the hardness between transparent PVC material 203 and the PET material 205.Will not cause damage to transparent PVC material 203 attempting to cut PET material 205 under PET material 205 and the situation that transparent PVC material 203 separates.But, be not all must separate in all cases.Different materials may not need to separate.

After two

layers

201 and 202 were brought together, label foil 200 was cut into a plurality of bands.Produce cutting fully at the middle part in each coloured district 212 and the middle part of each clear area 211.Each lateral attitude of cutting is fully illustrated by arrow 214 in Figure 23 (c).Figure 23 (d) illustrates the label foil after execution is cut fully.Cut fully label foil is separated into and a plurality ofly be with 215, each is with the 215 continuous self-laminating formula bands that comprise certain-length, and wherein coloured district equates with the clear area, and the vertical cutting in the lining material 202 or the otch middle part that is positioned at band.

Figure 24 illustrates the follow-up phase in the production run, wherein by along otch and along with 215 longitudinal foldingly be with 215, the width (in cross measure) of continuous self-laminating formula band is reduced by half, and two exposed surfaces of lining material 202 face with each other, wherein lining material exposed surface is relative with clear area 211, and another exposed surface of lining material is relative with coloured district 212.By before folding, applying burst spot heating material, perhaps, can flatten folding line by the opposing face that is folded material is applied relatively high pressure.The thinness of the otch in heating and pressure and the lining material 202, the memory effect of label material and material has allowed the collapsible continuous band that being suitable in tape drum shown in manufacturing Figure 24 (c) reel and carry.

During manufacture,

label foil

200 or 210 PET material 205 can be printed at least a figure.One of below described figure can comprise at least: to terminal user's instruction; Label band attribute flags; Label band indication of origin; Decorate and any other graphic designs.

In another embodiment of the present invention, coloured 212 width of self-laminating labels band is 1/3 of a label 215, rather than 1/2 shown in Figure 23 and 24.In addition, band is folded twice one-tenth " Z " font, rather than is folded once one-tenth " V " font as mentioned above.Replace 1/2 coloured 1/2 transparent label, these labels are 1/3 coloured 2/3 transparent.Describe shown in the sectional view that is configured in Fig. 5 of this label band and hereinbefore.

Label machine can be arranged on the folding continuous self-laminating formula band of " Z " font and " V " font and can both print, and this label machine can comprise pick-up unit, is used for detecting that the band printer exists is which kind of continuous self-laminating formula band.This pick-up unit can comprise a plurality of pushbutton switches, these pushbutton switches respectively with a plurality of holes or blank or its combined interface of being positioned on the tape drum shell.Perhaps, this pick-up unit can comprise use radio-frequency (RF) identification (RFID) label testing, is used for detecting the RFID label that is combined in tape drum during fabrication, and wherein the RFID label comprises the information about the characteristic of the label band in the tape drum.Can conceive any other pick-up unit known to those skilled in the art all can be incorporated in printer and the tape drum.

The invention provides low-cost solution, still realized the highly self-laminating labels of specialty simultaneously.Described embodiments of the invention though got in touch the situation that label is administered to electric wire and cable, can conceive on other article that label produced according to the invention can be applied to different shape and size.Though specifically illustrated and described the present invention with reference to preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate that, can under the situation of the scope of the present invention that does not break away from appended claims and limited, make the change on various forms and the details.

Claims

1. belt comprises:

Ground floor has first that can print on it;

Viscous layer on second of described ground floor, described second with described first opposite; And

Opposite with described ground floor the 3rd layer of being positioned on the described viscous layer;

The part of wherein said ground floor is removable, thereby exposes the described viscous layer on described the 3rd layer.

2. according to the belt of claim 1, wherein tab-cut is pre-formed in band is supplied with, and the described part of wherein said ground floor is limited by described tab-cut.

3. according to the belt of claim 1, wherein a plurality of tab-cut are pre-formed in band is supplied with.

4. according to the belt of claim 1, wherein said ground floor is transparent.

5. according to the belt of claim 1, wherein said ground floor is opaque.

6. according to the belt of claim 1, wherein said the 3rd layer is transparent.

7. according to the belt of claim 1, wherein said belt is wound rolling and is comprised in the tape drum of label machine.

8. label comprises:

Label layer,

Backing layer and

Place viscous layer therebetween,

Described label has first and is not printed part and one and is printed part, and wherein the marking is disposed on the outside surface of described described label layer in being printed partly,

Described label layer can be printed part from described first and be removed, thereby exposes the described viscous layer on the described backing layer, and described label layer can be retained on the described described backing layer that is printed in the part.

9. label according to Claim 8 comprises the tab-cut in the label layer between described first is not printed part and is printed partly.

10. label according to Claim 8 wherein is provided with described first and is not printed part and the described part that is printed makes the in use described part that is not printed to overlap with described being printed, thus the label of formation lamination.

11. label according to Claim 8, described label comprises that second is not printed part, described be printed the part be disposed in described first and second be not printed the part between, described label layer can be printed part from described first and second and be removed, thereby exposes the described viscous layer that is positioned on the described backing layer.

12., comprise the tab-cut that is not printed in part and the described label layer that is printed between the part described second according to the label of claim 11.

13. a method of using label machine production from the lamination label, this method comprises:

Printing has label layer, backing layer and is arranged in the belt of viscous layer therebetween, is printed part with production, and wherein the marking is positioned at described being printed on the label layer partly; And

In the described label layer of one side that is printed part, provide tab-cut and be provided at and be printed the cutting fully that all layers are passed at partial distance D place with described, have the label that is printed the part and is not printed the part thereby produce, to be printed part and described not being printed between the part has described tab-cut described;

Wherein said label layer can be removed from the described part that is not printed, thereby exposes the described viscous layer that is positioned on the described backing layer, keeps the described part that is printed that described label layer is arranged in belt simultaneously.

14. a method of using label machine production from the lamination label comprises:

Make belt pass the print area of label machine, wherein the marking first of ground floor that be formed on described belt goes up and is printed part with formation, and wherein said belt comprises:

Ground floor has first that can print on it;

Use the tab-cut mechanism of described label machine, the adjacent described tab-cut of passing the described ground floor of described belt after the part that is printed; And

Use the complete cutting mechanism of described label machine, cutting fully, make and produce label with the third part between described tab-cut and described label end with described tab-cut distance D place;

Wherein said ground floor can be removed from described third part, thereby exposes the described viscous layer that is positioned on described the 3rd layer.

15. method according to claim 14, comprise the described tab-cut mechanism that uses described label machine, carry out the tab-cut of passing described ground floor in the described described label edges of beginning place distance a distance that is printed part, thereby limit edge and the described first that is printed between the part at described label.

16. a label machine is configured to enforcement of rights and requires 13 or 14 method.

17. according to the label machine of claim 16, wherein said label machine comprises plurality of print modes, described plurality of print modes comprise can be selected be used to print from the lamination label from the lamination label mode.

18. according to the label machine of claim 16, wherein said label machine is configured to point out the user to import and is used for the data from the lamination label.

19. according to the label machine of claim 18, wherein said data comprise the size of the article that will be applied in described label.

20. according to the label machine of claim 19, wherein said size comprises one or more in cable size, cable girth and the cable radius.

21. the label machine according to claim 18 comprises microprocessor, is configured to according to described tab-cut of described data computation and the described position of cutting fully.

22. according to the label machine of claim 16, described printer can be imported by the user in wherein said tab-cut and the described position of cutting fully.

23. according to the label machine of claim 16, comprise the device that is used for selecting from storer template, described template comprises the formatted data of the label layout that is used for the cable size.

24. use the method for label for article for one kind, comprising:

Mirror printed has label layer, backing layer and places the belt of viscous layer therebetween, and the part so that generation is printed has the mirror image marking described being printed on the label layer partly;

Provide tab-cut described being printed in arbitrary the label layer partly, and providing the cutting fully of passing all layers with the described partial distance D place that is printed, have first and be not printed the label that part and second is not printed part so that produce, the described part that is printed is placed in described first and is not printed between part and described second is not printed partly;

Be not printed part from described first and second and remove described label layer, to expose the described viscous layer on the described backing layer, what simultaneously described label layer is remained on described belt is printed partly; And

Described label is applied to described article, thereby described viscous layer is adhered to described article with described label layer, and described backing layer and described being printed overlap, to form laminating labels.

25. use the method for label for article for one kind, comprising:

Printing has label layer, backing layer and places the belt of viscous layer therebetween, and the part so that generation is printed has the marking described being printed on the label layer partly;

In the described label layer of one side that is printed part, provide tab-cut, and providing the cutting fully of passing all layers with the described partial distance D place that is printed, have the label that is printed the part and is not printed the part so that produce, described tab-cut is placed in described be not printed part and described being printed between the part;

Remove described label layer from the described part that is printed, to expose the described viscous layer on the described backing layer, what simultaneously described label layer is remained on described belt is printed partly; And

Described label is wrapped in around the described article, thereby described viscous layer is adhered to described article with described label layer, and radially to be printed the described part that is printed of overlapping from what described article extended.